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Guillemot Family Raises Stake In Ubisoft To Ward Off Vivendi Takeover
The battle for control of Ubisoft has been long and arduous. We last left off back in April, with a report that Vivendi was planning to make its big play to acquire the company this year. Today, Reuters reports the Guillemot family (who founded Ubisoft, currently headed by Yves Guillemot), has increased their stake in the company in order to fend off a Vivendi takeover.
The Guillemot's stake in Ubisoft's share capital is currently at 13.6 percent, while its share of the company's voting rights is at 20.02 percent, according to a filing from the AMF stock market regulator.
By comparison, Vivendi, which purchased its first stake in Ubisoft in 2015, currently owns 27 percent of the company's share capital and 24.5 percent of its voting rights.
It's understandable why Vivendi would want to take ownership of Ubisoft. According to its year-end financial earnings call, Ubisoft is doing fairly well, with a digital revenue of €729.3 million, and several franchises due for sequels this year.
Our Take
After an impressive showing at E3, I imagine it's especially important for the Guillemot family to hold onto the company. With a revamped Assassin's Creed, Mario crossover, and more on the way this year alone, Ubisoft looks especially promising, sales-wise.
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